Steven Gutierrez

I am Steven, and it is with great vulnerability that I share my journey of four years with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Before the fateful incident, January 13, 2022, was a day filled with anticipation for my time off from my role as a mid-level Manager at a multi-billion dollar Fortune 500 company. I had planned a special day with my son, one that included a trip to the beach, an outing I always looked forward to as a single parent.

Tragically, on January 14, 2022, a slip and fall accident at work dramatically altered my future and redefined my trajectory as a father and as an individual. The journey to learn coping mechanisms for the myriad of symptoms following my brain injury was fraught with difficulty. Additionally, the process of navigating the workers’ compensation system in California was convoluted and challenging.

Professionally, the most significant loss was the dissolution of a 25-year career and the personal identity that accompanied it. Nonetheless, my journey has taught me that the significance of my injury lies in the gift of life and my capacity to appreciate its value.